Police break up College Fest after violence ensues
April 20, 2012
Police clad in riot gear. Smoke bombs. Tear gas. Fighting. Chants of “USA” and “FUCK THE POLICE.” Sound like something you’ve heard before? Saturday’s party-goers on College Avenue mirrored the infamous 2009 College Fest.
Officers from the Kent City Police Department, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Brimfield Police Department and Metro SWAT rushed to the scene after the crowd grew large and unruly, according to the Kent Police Department.
Officers from multiple jurisdictions made a total of 33 arrests. The Kent City Police Department arrested nine Kent State students over the age of 18 — names under age 18 are not released.
The university released a statement, saying it was “closely monitoring [Saturday’s] events and supports the city in its efforts to keep celebrations safe for everyone involved.”
Members of the Kent City Police Department maintained a presence on College Avenue during the day. By late afternoon, frequent fights, assaults and other violent behavior broke out, according to an email statement from Lt. Paul Canfield of the Kent City Police Department.
Much like three years ago, police in riot gear began at the east end of College Avenue and marched toward Franklin Hall as civilians threw beer bottles and other items in the direction of police around 6:45 p.m.
“There were numerous fights and assaults in the crowd that required police and medical response,” stated the release. “Eventually, the crowd began throwing bricks and bottles at officers and others in the crowd.”
Related story: Sights and sounds from College Ave.
Two officers warned bystanders not to continue down the street, but Abigail Myers, freshman pre-human development and family studies major, didn’t listen.
“We went down there, and the cops were throwing smoke bombs, at first; and then they kept warning us they’d [use] tear gas, which they did, and they tear-gassed, and that’s why everyone’s leaving — because it burns really bad,” she said.
What began as a day of beer bonging and ponging ended in fire and anger, and according to Michael Smith, junior marketing major, police influence was the problem.
“They showed up for no reason — we were just drinking out here,” Smith said. “Honestly, [the police] want to keep control in the street, and everything was in control until they started shooting stuff at us.”
From our photographer
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Daily Kent Stater photographer Philip Botta used a GoPro camera to capture the scene on College Ave.
The Kent City Police Department abides by a Use of Force Policy, which is outlined in the Kent City Police Department Policies and Procedures Manual. It states:
Members of the Kent Police Department may only use force in a lawful and justifiable manner. This means unnecessary use of force or the use of force in an excessive or unreasonable amount is prohibited.
The Kent Police Department recognizes its responsibility to establish guidelines that attempt to strike a reasonable balance between the values of protecting the lives of law enforcement officers and others, and deterring the abuse of authority.
It is the policy of the Kent Police Department to use the most effective means possible when deadly or non-deadly force is required.
“During this entire incident, police were outnumbered by a ratio of more than 30 to one,” Canfield said. “The officers present used accepted police practices in a deliberate and measured response to restore order in the safest manner possible for all involved and end the violent situation that was created willfully by members of the crowd.”
Police cleared College Avenue by 7:30 p.m. as reports of violence and destruction throughout the city continued into the night.
Contact Jennifer Shore at [email protected].
#KWcollegefest
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Original Post
Update: 9:16 p.m.
Emily Vincent, director of university media relations, said that Kent State “is closely monitoring today’s events and supports the city in its efforts to keep celebrations safe for everyone involved.”
Update: 9:08 p.m.
Lincoln Street is now open.
Update: 9:04 p.m.
Three police cars parked in front of Starbucks, blocking off Lincoln Street to traffic.
Update: 8:57 p.m.
Haymaker Parkway and Depeyster Street have been reopened.
Update: 8:53 p.m.
Police in riot gear tell stragglers on College Avenue to “take it inside or leave.”
UPDATE 8:35 p.m.
Firefighters responded to a fire on University Drive. Witnesses said a couch was set on fire.
UPDATE 8:15 p.m.
Police in riot gear clear out College Avenue. There are reports of violence and destruction throughout the city.
ORIGINAL STORY
Police are attempting to disperse crowds at College Fest after several violent fights broke out. Ambulances were called to the scene to take care of injured students after some people started hitting each other with beer bottles. Some participants are throwing beer bottles at police.
Check back with KentWired for more updates.
[View the story “College Fest 2012” on Storify]
College Fest 2012
Storified by Kentwired.com · Sun, Apr 22 2012 20:20:18
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